Cochlear Implants today go far beyond the provision of gain for profoundly deaf clients. They enhance the everyday lives of infants, children, and adults of all ages.  This workshop will take a deep dive into the world of cochlear implants. It is an opportunity for audiologists working in a range of service delivery settings to engage with every step in the implant journey.  You will be able to refresh and update your knowledge of all brands of modern CI devices, to review referral criteria and pre-surgery counselling to work with the software and mapping protocols and explore all aspects of re/habilitation for clients of any age.  

Develop the skills to counsel those considering a referral: The common barriers to referral will be discussed, such as lack of awareness, fear of surgery, and cost, and develop strategies to overcome them. Gain skills in counselling patients and their families about cochlear implantation.

Understand the benefits of cochlear implants for various populations: Learn about the speech perception, language development, and quality of life benefits offered by cochlear implants for different age groups, including children and adults, and for different types of hearing loss. 

Learn about the elements of a cochlear implant candidacy evaluation and how each component informs a cochlear implant recommendation, and apply knowledge to case studies: Understand how audiological assessments, medical evaluations and psychosocial evaluation. inform the decision-making process for cochlear implantation.

Understand factors that affect cochlear implant outcomes: Factors that can influence speech perception and language development outcomes, such as age at implantation, duration of deafness, residual hearing, and motivation will be discussed. 

Learn about medical and surgical aspects of cochlear implantation, including preoperative assessment, surgical technique, and postoperative care.

Learn about current cochlear implant technology, including speech processors, electrode arrays, and wireless connectivity.

Gain an understanding of fundamentals of cochlear implant programming and apply skills during hands on sessions and case studies: Learn about the principles of programming a cochlear implant system to optimize speech perception outcomes.

Demonstrate an understanding of the methods for optimizing and verifying a cochlear implant map: Learn about different methods used to optimize and verify a cochlear implant map to ensure optimal speech perception outcomes.

Learn about different rehabilitation strategies used to promote speech perception and language development after cochlear implantation.

Gain an understanding of future directions in implantable technology: Learn about emerging technologies in the field of implantable hearing devices that may improve speech perception outcomes in the future.

Dr Jaime Leigh, PhD

Jaime Leigh has 20 years’ experience as a clinical and research audiologist in the cochlear implant field. Her role as a senior clinician at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, Cochlear Implant Clinic involves supporting adults, children, and their families through the pre and post-operative phases of the cochlear implantation process.  Most recently, Jaime has led the development and establishment of the Victorian Cochlear Implant Program. Jaime holds a Research Fellowship at the University of Melbourne and is passionate about research that directly influences clinical practice. She has published in a diverse range of cochlear implant areas including; candidacy, speech and language outcomes, benefits of early implantation and management of patients receiving bilateral cochlear implants, and is actively involved in the education and training of Master of Audiology and PhD students at the University of Melbourne.

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